Percutaneous stent-graft repair of a mycotic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm

Ruptured mycotic pulmonary pseudoaneurysm is a lethal complication. Emergent surgical repair is usually recommended, but still associated with a high mortality rate. We present a patient in whom mycotic pulmonary pseudoaneurysm was a complication after surgical lobectomy 2 weeks earlier. This patient had suffered from repeated massive hemoptysis. After emergent surgical repair of the ruptured pulmonary artery stump, another episode of massive hemorrhage occurred. The pulmonary arteriogram revealed a segmental stenosis and a large, wide-necked, lobulated pseudoaneurysm at the left proximal pulmonary artery. We deployed a balloon-expandable stent-graft (48 mm in length mounted on a 12 mm x 40 mm angioplasty balloon) across the stenotic segment and the neck of the pulmonary pseudoaneurysm. Hemostasis was achieved immediately and, under a 4-week antibiotic treatment, patient was transferred to a local hospital for medical care. This case report demonstrates the benefit of minimally invasive endovascular therapy in a critically ill patient. A literature review of the etiology and management of mycotic pulmonary pseudoaneurysm is included.